Portion Control: It’s Not Just for Food

When you hear the words portion control, you no doubt thing about plates full of food, servings the size of a deck of cards or a tennis ball, and calorie counting. But what other places in your life are you exercising too little restraint on portions? Is it possible your portion sizes aren’t just big in your belly, but in your whole life?

This week, take some time to examine your portion sizes in these key areas and exercise a little portion control. It might just change your life.

Toxic friendships. I have a friend whose phone calls are always long laundry lists of complaints. I often joke with my husband that I should change my ringtone for her to be, “Cry Me a River.” Yet, I answer her calls nearly every time and I listen to her complaints even though she never takes my advice. I’m sure you have a friend like this as well, and perhaps now is the time to exercise some portion control on these friendships.

Haters and drama creators. You know who I’m talking about. He’s constantly starting political drama on Facebook, always talking behind someone’s back, and might just be the most annoying Facebook friend you have. Portion control with these individuals means blocking them. You don’t have to defriend someone, just hide them from your Facebook feed and your portion control is underway.

Online shopping. There’s something about taking out that credit card in a store, handing it to a cashier, and signing your name on a receipt that makes a purchase more real. Pressing “Checkout” somehow doesn’t, though. Exercise some portion control with online shopping, and start by taking your credit card information off of the sites you normally shop on. This makes it harder to just press the button.

What else can you start to increase portion control on in your life? It’s not just about calories, it’s about happiness!

About the Author

Marcy Twete

Marcy Twete is a career fundraiser turned corporate responsibility executive, a career and networking expert and the author of the book "You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works."